History

The state museum of Queensland

For over 150 years, we’ve been documenting, discovering, preserving and sharing Queensland’s natural and cultural heritage. More than a million items and specimens make up the State Collection that tells the changing story of Queensland.

Significant dates

1862 - Queensland Philosophical Society founded the Queensland Museum in Brisbane on 20 January, operating from a room set aside in the Windmill

1868 - Moved to the Parliamentary building in Queen Street, Brisbane

1871 - The government assumed primary responsibility for the Museum

1873 - Relocated into the old Post Office building

1879 - First purpose-built museum building completed, William Street, Brisbane